Bill,
This was JUST discussed! Fortunately, Duane did the actual measurement. The tall rig is exactly 2' taller than the standard rig. Hope this helps.
All the fixed bridges on the ICW are supposed to to be 55' clearence minimum, however in addition to the 49' railroad bridge metioned in Duane's Blog there is one bridge on Floida's east coast that is only 54' . I don't remember which one, but it is clearly noted on the charts.
My family has had a house in Cape May Point since the early '50s. I haven't been down there by boat in quite awhile, but I may be able to add a little insight to the canal passage.
There are 2 bridges, I believe both are 55'. There should be tide gauges on each. Based on the number of big scrapes on the girders, I'd say more than one person has misjudged it.:confused: Tidal range is somewhere around 5 feet, quite a bit more than we see on the Chesapeake. There will be a strong tidal flow during the peak. There's also an old railroad swing bridge that has a pretty narrow passage; when I went through on a crowded weekend, some moron in a muscle boat blasted right by me at what must have been 60+.:eek: Also watch the ferry terminal at the west end of the canal. I've been on the jettys when the ferry comes in and it sucks a lot of water away from the jetty, followed by an inrush. I'd just wait the few minutes while it docks or leaves.
Given a choice, I'd do it at low tide on a weekday just to keep my blood pressure down. I plan on making the trip from the Chesapeake one of these days, so I'll have to go through myself.
—
Gary and Cathy Price
1997 C36 Mk II Tall Rig/Wing Keel Imagine...
Hull # 1617
Worton Creek, Md.
Northern Chesapeake Bay
Bill,
This was JUST discussed! Fortunately, Duane did the actual measurement. The tall rig is exactly 2' taller than the standard rig. Hope this helps.
[URL]http://www.c36ia.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1610&highlight=masthead+hei...
Tom Sokoloski
C36/375IA Past Commodore
Noank, CT
So 53' with a tad of fudge factor.
"Should" go under a 55' bridge with room to spare especially if timed for low tide.
I liked Duane's measurement idea and think I may try to measure my boat for some more confidence if we are able to make this trip this year.
Bill Boggs
s/v Palmetto Moon
1991 C36, Hull 1128
Herrington Harbor South
Chesapeake Bay
Bill and anyone else using the Florida ICW.
All the fixed bridges on the ICW are supposed to to be 55' clearence minimum, however in addition to the 49' railroad bridge metioned in Duane's Blog there is one bridge on Floida's east coast that is only 54' . I don't remember which one, but it is clearly noted on the charts.
__/)__/)__/)__Capt Mike__/)__/)__/)__
Punta Gorda Florida
1990 Std WK M35 Hull #1050
Thanks. The bridge I'm contemplating is over the Cape May canal. I can avoid it, by going around to the Atlantic entrance but it adds some time.
Bill Boggs
s/v Palmetto Moon
1991 C36, Hull 1128
Herrington Harbor South
Chesapeake Bay
My family has had a house in Cape May Point since the early '50s. I haven't been down there by boat in quite awhile, but I may be able to add a little insight to the canal passage.
There are 2 bridges, I believe both are 55'. There should be tide gauges on each. Based on the number of big scrapes on the girders, I'd say more than one person has misjudged it.:confused: Tidal range is somewhere around 5 feet, quite a bit more than we see on the Chesapeake. There will be a strong tidal flow during the peak. There's also an old railroad swing bridge that has a pretty narrow passage; when I went through on a crowded weekend, some moron in a muscle boat blasted right by me at what must have been 60+.:eek: Also watch the ferry terminal at the west end of the canal. I've been on the jettys when the ferry comes in and it sucks a lot of water away from the jetty, followed by an inrush. I'd just wait the few minutes while it docks or leaves.
Given a choice, I'd do it at low tide on a weekday just to keep my blood pressure down. I plan on making the trip from the Chesapeake one of these days, so I'll have to go through myself.
Gary and Cathy Price
1997 C36 Mk II Tall Rig/Wing Keel Imagine...
Hull # 1617
Worton Creek, Md.
Northern Chesapeake Bay
[url]http://marine.geogarage.com/routes[/url]
You can zoom in on Cape May and read thew two bridge vertical clearances of 55 feet.
Just one of many handy internet chart resources.
Stu Jackson, C34IA Secretary, C34 #224, 1986, SR/FK, M25 engine, Rocna 10 (22#)
Owners manual says 56 feet 6 inches for tall rig.
54'6 for standard rig
Catalina 36 MK1
1984 Hull #306